PROMOTING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BETWEEN INDIA AND THE U.S.

Anthony K. L. Leung

2498.jpg

Research Area

Biochemistry, DNA and RNA, Molecular Biology, RNA Biology

Institution

Johns Hopkins University

We are RNA biologists interested in the interaction between gene and environment. In human genome, only 5% encodes for proteins while most are transcribed as non-coding RNAs (previously thought to be junk DNA). We are interested in two classes of non-coding RNAs – microRNAs and circular RNAs (circRNAs). We recently found that, during stress that is common in cancers and viral infection, microRNA activities and other RNA metabolic processes are regulated by a “druggable” post-translational modification called ADP-ribosylation and PARPs – the enzymes that makes ADP-ribosylation. Given that PARP inhibitors have shown promise in treating cancers, neurodegenerative diseases and ischemia, we are actively exploring the role of poly(ADP-ribose) regulation in microRNA activities in these diseases.

Sign Up to Receive Our Newsletter